Historic Coastal Towns of Finland – Porvoo & Loviisa

Discover two of Finland’s most charming coastal towns, where colourful wooden houses, cobblestone streets, historic churches and the Baltic Sea tell stories stretching back through centuries.

Just east of Helsinki, Porvoo and Loviisa offer a beautiful contrast to the capital. Porvoo captivates with its famous Old Town and red shore houses, while Loviisa combines an atmospheric wooden town, maritime heritage and the island fortress of Svartholma.

Together, they offer a journey into a quieter, more intimate side of Finland – shaped by the sea, changing borders and generations of life along the coast.

Porvoo – one of Finland’s oldest towns

Porvoo is one of Finland’s oldest towns and one of the country’s best-preserved historic environments.

The heart of the town is Old Porvoo, where narrow cobblestone streets wind between colourful wooden houses, small courtyards, boutiques and historic buildings. Down by the river, the famous red ochre shore houses create one of Finland’s most recognisable landscapes.

Standing above the Old Town is Porvoo Cathedral, a landmark that has witnessed centuries of Finnish history. The cathedral played an important role in 1809, when the Diet of Porvoo marked a turning point in Finland’s history as an autonomous Grand Duchy.

Walking through Porvoo is less about individual sights and more about experiencing the town as a whole – its streets, river, architecture and layers of history.

Finnish art and culture in Porvoo

Porvoo has long attracted writers and artists.

Finland’s national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg made his home here, and his preserved 19th-century residence offers a glimpse into the cultural life of his time.

The Porvoo region was also closely connected with Albert Edelfelt, one of the great artists of Finland’s Golden Age. His studio in the coastal landscape of Haikko can be included for travellers interested in Finnish art and culture.

These experiences can be added to a tailor-made stay according to the interests of the group.

Loviisa – wooden houses and life by the sea

Further east lies Loviisa, a small coastal town with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.

Its old wooden neighbourhoods invite us to slow down and explore streets lined with traditional houses, gardens and historic buildings. At the heart of the town stands the distinctive red-brick Loviisa Church, one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks.

By the sea, Laivasilta reflects Loviisa’s maritime heritage. Historic salt warehouses and the waterfront recall the days when ships and trade connected this small Finnish town with the wider Baltic region.

From historic wooden town to modern seaside living

Loviisa also offers an interesting look at contemporary Finnish wooden architecture.

At Kuningattarenranta, modern wooden homes meet the sea in a new waterfront district. The contrast between Loviisa’s historic wooden neighbourhoods and contemporary architecture creates an intriguing connection between past and present.

Wood has shaped Finnish towns for centuries – and in Loviisa, that tradition continues in a distinctly modern way.

Svartholma – a fortress in the archipelago

Just off the coast of Loviisa lies Svartholma, an 18th-century sea fortress surrounded by the peaceful landscapes of the Finnish archipelago.

The fortress was constructed as part of Sweden’s eastern defences and has witnessed the changing balance of power around the Gulf of Finland. Today, its stone walls and ruins offer a fascinating setting for discovering history while enjoying the sea and island nature.

Reaching Svartholma by boat is part of the experience. Within a short journey from the mainland, the historic town gives way to open water and the quiet atmosphere of the archipelago.

Two towns, one journey through coastal Finland

Porvoo and Loviisa complement each other beautifully.

Porvoo brings together medieval history, Finnish art and one of the country’s most celebrated old towns. Loviisa offers wooden neighbourhoods, maritime traditions, modern coastal architecture and an island fortress in the Baltic Sea.

Together, they reveal a side of Finland that is easy to reach from Helsinki yet feels wonderfully different from the capital.

Combine your journey with Helsinki and Finland’s East Coast

Porvoo and Loviisa can be enjoyed as a three-day journey or included in a longer tailor-made tour through Southern Finland.

Begin in Helsinki before travelling east through Porvoo and Loviisa, and continue towards Kotka and Hamina with our Beyond Helsinki – Discover Finland’s East Coast programme.

Tailor your journey

This programme can be adapted to your interests, schedule and group size. Add Finnish art and cultural history, spend more time in the archipelago or continue your journey along Finland’s beautiful southern coast.

We create each journey around the experiences that interest you most.